New guy, taking a gamble in Canada. . .

New guy taking a gamble . . . Hi everyone! Hope someone can give me a bit of insight on the recumbent scene . . .

I'm 54 years old, 6' 3", 245 LBS, and pretty healthy except for some extensive heart artery blockage and a bad valve. I'm looking at recumbents because regular bikes cause me to lean forward somewhat which gives me angina pretty quickly. I discovered that if I pull my shoulders back and sit upright, I have more capacity for exertion. If I take a hit of nitro, I can ride my Diamond Frame bike for about 1/2 hour before I feel pain again. However, I always get angina quicker when I'm bending forward, like when riding a traditional bicycle. I do better with my shoulders back, as with a recumbent. I'm hoping that I can ride a little better in a recumbent, without as much nitro, and if I start riding a 1/2 mile a day, that I can slowly build up to riding an hour a day without nitro. My doctor tells me that the heart blood supply can remodel itself over time to be more efficient. If it can be done, then I've got some hope . . .

A few years ago I weighed 210 which was much better for me. But you know the rigors of life; I've got a highly stressful job and I guess diet was the one place that I didn't compromise; so here I am. I've been thinking that a recumbent would help, but of course it's a big investment and I'm not sure I'll be able to continue riding because of heart concerns. My doctor, however, tells me that with exercise my heart arterial blood supply may slowly remodel itself - so I'm thinking that I could start with 1/2 mile and then maybe build up over time to 5 miles or more. So I've decided to try a resale bike, and I think I like the V-rex, although I've never ridden one. Can I ask some questions?

1. My X-seam is 46" (probably 45" if I lose some weight off my fat as_ . . .) I realize the XL model would fit better, but they are really scarce on the resale market. Anybody venture a guess as to how well the regular model would fit?

2. Were there any years for the v-rex that were better (or worse)? For example, I've heard something about seat pan issues on the 2003's.

3. I'm going to see a few bikes soon; anything common I should look out for?

Thanks guys, I'm hoping that this works and that I can dig myself out of a problem here . . . Fred

 

Re: New guy, taking a gamble . . .

Fred!!!!

In case you were wondering why your posts didn't post immediately it is because new members have to be approved before they go public. (Keeps spam away.)

Anyway, welcome to the world of recumbents. I have been riding a bent for 5 years. I sold all my diamond frame bikes after 6 months of riding my bent.

You are asking about V Rexes. I own TWO of them. They work the best for me. Don on this board also has a V Rex. So does a new member of ours. Hope he chimes in on this thread and tells you what it is like for a newbie.

I have ridden several bents. Everyone is different so their "best" bent depends on their unique requirements. Here is why I like a V Rex.

First, I like a Short wheel Based (SWB) bent over Long Wheel Based (LWB) bents because:

• They are easier to transport (a real deal benefit if you have a small car)
• They are faster than trikes.
• The Bottom Bracker (BB) is not outrageously high.
• It is quick.
• It is very responsive.

Here is what some folks don't like about it.

• It is "twitchy" meaning it moves very quickly with very little movement of the handlebars.
• As a first bent, it is scary to ride. (Feet high up, twitchy handling)

I tell folks you will look like a "drunk" riding your V Rex the first 50 miles. (You will wander all over the trail and NOT feel comfortable on the bent.) From 50 to 300 miles you get better and learn how ride this machine.
After 300 miles, you can take it anywhere and feel right at home with it.

If you want an easier bent to "learn" to ride on, I recommend a LWB bent with a lower BB. You sit up with your feet closer to the ground. A Tour Easy or SUN Tour are great "starter" bents. If you try one of these and like them, after a year or two, then try a SWB bent to get better transportable bent and quicker response (like going from a van to a sports car).

Whatever you do realize you will feel TOTALLY AWKWARD for the first 50 miles and may crash a couple of times. DON'T GIVE UP!!! Get past the 300 miles and then there will be no looking back.

Several in our group improved their health (look up Buddy our 71 year old patriarch), lost weight and improved their love of life.

Good luck and I am sure others will pipe in also (and probably disagree with me.)

 

Re: New guy, taking a gamble . . .

Fred,

I would have to agree with Jon. When I first started riding bents I could not stand the V-Rex. It was way too twitchy for me. After riding a medium wheelbase Linear Mach III (sometimes called a compact long wheelbase CLWB) for a year I tried a V-Rex again and loved it.

It took 8 years before I found a different type of recumbent I liked as well as or better than the V-Rex. That was an Easy Racers Gold Rush (long wheel base (LWB), low Bottom Bracket (LBB)). I now have a titanium version of the Gold Rush.

I still have and ride the V-Rex quite often. Mine is a 1999 model and still going strong. The two bikes are very different. The LWB/LBB combination is much easier to ride. However LWB bikes tend to be harder to handle at low speeds.

Medium or CLWB models tend to be the easiest for beginners to ride. They tend to be mild mannered, easier to start off on than SWB bikes, and easier to handle at low speeds than LWB bikes.

Don't overlook trikes. Especially when you have health issues. With a trike you don't have to worry about falling over. If you get tired, even going up a hill, you can simply stop until you catch your breath then start pedaling again.

A trike model with a higher seat will be easier to get in and out of than one with a lower seat.

 

Re: New guy, taking a gamble . . .

I have nearly 19,000 miles on my first and only 'bent, a RANS Rocket. Similar to a V-Rex except for its 20" rear wheel, I have never crashed it at anything above zero speed (wind has blown me over a time or two sitting still, but that doesn't count). 50 miles to get comfortable might be an exaggeration if you're already a cyclist. But agree that a LWB or CLWB might be a better starter. A trike can be great fun, but they require some extra tender loving care and some added $$s.

Dave

 

Re: New guy, taking a gamble . . .

Hi Fred!

The resident trike rider chiming in here. I have a Trice QNT (now discontinued by ICE) and I love it. I have had bad knees since I was 15 and had to pretty much walk up every hill I came across when I rode my bike. Since I've had my trike, I've not walked up a single one since. I may only creep up at 2 mph, but I don't fall over.

So, like Mike said, trikes are good for health issues where one may need to take a pause on an upslope to catch breath or let the heart slow down (or rub ibuprophen gel into a knee).

Hope you find something you like and join the 'bent craze!

Terii

 

Re: New guy, taking a gamble . . .

Welcome to the forum Fred. We wish you all the best, especially with the health problems. It also sounds like you have a good doctor.

People all seem to have different experiences with recumbents when they first start riding them. A bike one person has a problem riding is easy for someone else and vice versa.

For example, Bacchetta's best selling bike is the Giro 20, which has the 26" rear and 20" front wheels. That was my first try at riding a recumbent and it was awful. Yet, when I rode the Giro 26, which has 26" wheels front and rear, it felt much better and I didn't wobble all over the road. I had also tried a couple of LWB bikes which were okay but I liked the SWB high-racer much better and bought one.

I did all my learning on the road although most folks say to take the bike to a large parking lot with few cars and practice riding. I may have been slightly wobbly at first but nothing bad and it did not take long to become accustomed to this new way of riding.

One thing I will add is that it seems to be harder to lose weight riding the recumbent vs the DF bike but I'm not totally sure why except that you are more relaxed when on the recumbent.

Good luck to you.

 

Re: New guy, taking a gamble . . .

Say cheese! And shake hands(mentally). There all types of 'bents and all types of folks who ride. Never a more unique group than here that is for sure. Feel free to ask all kinds of questions...I can guarantee you will find your answers here. There are folks who have ridden for years, folks who make their own bikes and folks who buy an sell so many bikes they should be a dealer. There are many bents out there so take your time in finding one, go for one you not only like but one that FITS. Goes a long way towards comfort. Anyway, welcome to the group.

 

Re: New guy, taking a gamble . . .

I'm another one with a V-Rex. Mine is an 'older' one from when they used to come in different wheel sizes, and mine has a 24" rear wheel, and over the years I've updated the steering, gears, and added a rear disc brake. It doesn't get as much mileage anymore due to the fancier, faster bents I now own, but I still love riding it when speed isn't a priority.

I'd agree with what Jon wrote. It's hard to beat a V-Rex for an all-around, do-everything recumbent. The XL version fits an awful lot of normal people; so I wouldn't worry about getting one and having it become a white elephant. As far as the seat pan issue, I always wondered why the owners didn't just take a Dremel tool and grind off the offending lip. It's not like it was necessary to the bike's operation. But NO... they all had to whine and suffer, waiting for RANS to do something. I even know a guy who sold his Screamer rather than report the problem to RANS. ahem... sorry... Nowadays, there are other seat options, too; in case the problem is insoluble.

Anyway, the Rocket is very similar to the V-Rex, with the exception of the wheels. IMHO it would make a superior first bent, especially if you can find a used one with a 2" main tube.

 

Re: New guy, taking a gamble . . .

Welcome!

I have no words of wisdom for you, concerning Rans bicycles, sorry.
So, I'll just repeat myself a bit:

-welcome.

-Steve

 

Re: New guy, taking a gamble . . .

What a fine bunch of fellows! I'm always amazed at the power of the internet to make those with similiar interests feel right at home with one another. Thanks for the warm welcome . . .

Well, I think it's great that I've got a heads up on what to expect. I know that a learning curve often exists for anything worth learning, so I have the feeling that I shouldn't let instinct overwhelm my decision to buy when first riding a recumbent, especially a SWB. It probably is twitchy and uncomfortable, but I'll be patient and take the chance that I'll soon feel more comfortable riding the V rex than on mile 1 and day 1.

I live in Canada near the Michigan/US border, and will probably go there to buy a recumbent since the resale selection seems much greater. Our strong Canadian dollar doesn't hurt either. Now that I know a little bit more about these bikes, I've noticed that a lot of the resales are 2001 or older, judging by the sliding seat mechanism. There's no shortage of people asking $600 to $800 or so for what often is a 10 or 12 year old bike. I'm not sure that makes sense when you might be able to pick up a new one for $1500. I guess a lot of it comes down to components, of which I know very little. Nevertheless, I'm going to try to get the newest that I can for around $800, and I'm hopeful that will be a 2003 or 2004.

I don't even know what the seat pan issue is . . . one poster said it could be fixed? If that's the case then I won't worry about it; I'm as good with a dremel as the next guy! Finally, are there any bigger (taller) riders on a regular V-rex? Does any taller rider wish he had the XL model? Thanks again, Fred

 

Pipeing In

I totally agree with all the points about the V-Rex. Since going bent I've gone the whole gamut. LWB, SWB, OSS, USS and in the end the V-Rex proved to be the perfect bike. It is the easiest one of all to transport (my friend has a Honda Odessy and with one of the back seats out we can put 2 V-Rexs in the van). Because it has the same wheelbase as a standard DF it fits on the bike racks of the local transit buses. We have a great light rail system here and when we ride the Metrolink it fits in the bike area so that is another transport option that we use frequently. We bit the bullet and went totally car free about 1 1/2 years ago. Advantages of being retired.

A trick I found burried in another forum years ago and very seldom mentioned is to sit up straight when starting and stopping. Bents are notorious for poor slow speed handling. Mostly because you are using your steering for balance. When you sit straight up then you can use your upper body for balance. We have done this for years on our DF's and prob just didn't realize it.

Five years I was using a walker and a big heavy brace I was hard pressed to walk a block. The walker is gone, the brace is gone and I can walk a mile now. Keep on biking!!!! My first rides were 2 miles to the grocery store and 2 hours rest afterward. Now we are up to 40 miles rides and loving it.

 

Re: New guy, taking a gamble . . .

Hi, thanks everyone for the sincere welcome.

A note to the moderator; I wrote a long email here a couple days ago that doesn't seem to get posted - it probably makes the guys think I'm not interested in responding, which is not the case. Please check if you can.

Yes everyone, thanks for the excellent advice. I know now that a longer learning curve may be necessary, so I'm not going to be turned off if initially I feel a little off balance when I first try a v-rex.

I live in Canada near the Michigan border and may travel there to look at bents. There are a couple that I'm interested in, but I'm still wondering how my 6'3 250lb body is going to fit on the standard sized model, instead of the XL model. With a 46" Xseam does anybody want to venture a guess? Any big guys out there riding the V-rex?

Would I look ridiculous riding a Rans Rocket? I'd probably have an easier time finding one of those, but I'm not sure if that's the right thing . . . I'm going to try sending this post in, hope it takes, thanks, Fred

 

Re: New guy, taking a gamble . . .

Hello Fred,

My first recumbent was a V-Rex, like you a "resale", and I had never ridden one. Got it shipped in from Cleveland, Ohio, and learned to ride it riding circles on the driveway in the dark the night that I got it put together.

That's been about 6 yrs ago, and I still have the bike, it's been a keeper and it still gets used regularly. It's probably my favorite bike. I have two others at the moment, and one other one just got shipped out the door to Colorado. The V-Rex is a classic, do-everything well bike that's been around for lots of years and has a stellar reputation. Everybody loves the V-Rex.

Newer models last year or two have tweener bars and "stiffie" riser, most others have praying hampster bars and a flex riser. The latter will be easier for a newbie to master, and I prefer the hampster bars for slow speed maneuverability. Early V-Rex's (95, 96) had a shorter wheelbase, which contributed to their "twitchiness", and I would avoid those for a newbie. The current 42" wheelbase has been around a long time and makes the bike considerably more stable. Good deals can be had on BROL on the V-Rex, just keep watch. Seems I've seen some lately in the $6-700 range, a safe investment that can be easily returned if you want to move to something else.

Whatever you do, have fun, and keep those wheels turning.

Don
Original RocketRiders Member #6, August 25, 2004

 

Re: New guy, taking a gamble . . .

That is interesting, one guy on the BROL forum noted that the heart rate for 'bent rider at a given speed say on a flat road is about 10 bpm less than a DF rider. Lower heart rate so fewer calories burned.

Anyway, welcome to Fred. I am new to 'bents and have a lowracer at that so I can't help with the RANS. I can add that after 6 months on a 'bent the flats are much more fun than a DF, and downhill is a blast!!

 

Re: New guy, taking a gamble . . .

On the heartrate thing, it makes perfect sense that it is lower on a 'bent than a DF. The heart doesn't have to work so hard to move the blood around the body since everything is close to the same level.

Terii